In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Bulgaria’s political landscape, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced his resignation on December 11, 2025—just minutes before parliament was set to vote on the sixth motion of no confidence against his government. The timing could hardly be more sensitive: Bulgaria is mere weeks away from joining the eurozone on January 1, 2026, a milestone that had been heralded as a new era for the country’s economy and its place in Europe. But instead of celebration, the streets have been filled with anger, frustration, and a growing demand for change.
According to ekathimerini and Balk.hu, Zhelyazkov’s resignation capped weeks of mounting protests across Bulgaria’s cities, including the capital, Sofia. While the government coalition might have survived the no-confidence vote, Zhelyazkov chose to step down, citing social tensions, the primacy of the people’s will, and a lack of political legitimacy. In a televised address, he stated, “Our coalition met, we discussed the current situation, the challenges we face and the decisions we must responsibly make.” He went on to explain, “We realize that the protest was against arrogance and conceit, this is not a social protest, but a protest for values. It was not a meeting of political opponents over policies, but over attitudes, and therefore it unites different components of Bulgarian society.”
Thousands of Bulgarians took to the streets on December 10, 2025, in Sofia and dozens of other towns and cities. The demonstrations, which have been described as the largest in a decade, were sparked by the government’s proposed 2026 budget draft. This budget, the first to be drafted in euros, included significant cuts and new taxes: higher social security contributions, a dividend tax, and increased burdens on entrepreneurs and the most active layers of society. These measures, designed to prepare the country for euro adoption, were met with outrage, especially as Bulgaria already pays the lowest salaries in the European Union and consistently ranks near the bottom of the EU’s corruption index.
As Balk.hu details, the public’s anger wasn’t just about the numbers on a budget sheet. Many protesters saw the budget as a symptom of deeper, systemic problems—namely, a political elite and state bureaucracy that seemed untouched by the sacrifices being demanded of ordinary citizens. The protests quickly broadened to target figures seen as symbols of Bulgaria’s entrenched clientelism and corruption, most notably Delyan Peyevsky, a powerful oligarch and political figure whose party, the DPS, had provided external support to Zhelyazkov’s government. The message from the public was clear: it was time to end the backroom deals and lack of transparency that have long defined Bulgarian politics.
Perhaps the most striking aspect of this political awakening has been the emergence of Generation Z as a driving force. Previously characterized by political indifference, young Bulgarians have now become a decisive presence in the movement for change. A digitally coordinated group called “Protest Bulgaria 2025” has brought together thousands of young people demanding not just the overthrow of the current government, but a complete overhaul of Bulgaria’s political norms and institutions. For these protesters, the budget was merely a pretext; the real fight is for the right to a future in a European, open, and meritocratic Bulgaria.
Despite the government’s last-minute withdrawal of the controversial budget plan, demonstrations continued unabated. As Reuters reported, the country has held seven national elections in the past four years, most recently in October 2024, reflecting deep political and social divisions. The persistence of the protests, even after the budget was pulled, underscored a widespread loss of faith in promises of reform and in the ability—or willingness—of the political elite to address endemic corruption.
Opposition leaders were quick to seize the moment. Asen Vassilev, head of the ‘We Continue the Change’ party, called the resignation “the first step towards Bulgaria becoming a normal European country.” He added, “The next step … is to hold fair and free elections, not elections marred by electoral manipulation, as was the case with the last parliamentary elections.” President Rumen Radev, who had earlier urged the government to step down, echoed this sentiment, posting on Facebook, “Between the voice of the people and the fear of the mafia – listen to the public squares!”
Under Bulgaria’s constitution, President Radev will now ask parties in parliament to try to form a new government. If, as many expect, they cannot agree, he will appoint an interim administration to run the country until new elections can be held. In the meantime, Zhelyazkov’s cabinet will remain in office in a caretaker capacity until a successor is elected.
Political blame has been traded among party leaders, with GERB party chief Boyko Borisov and others pointing fingers for the current crisis. The opposition is pushing hard for new elections and for real, substantive reforms. There is a growing recognition that Bulgaria’s eurozone entry is not just a technical matter of changing currency, but a structural and moral challenge that the current political culture may not be equipped to meet.
For many Bulgarians, Zhelyazkov’s resignation marks both the end of an era and the potential beginning of a new one. The old politics—marked by corruption, clientelism, and a lack of transparency—have failed to deliver the European standards of governance that many citizens now demand. With the masses, especially the youth, refusing to accept the status quo, the pressure for a new social contract and institutional reform is mounting.
As Balk.hu notes, “Zhelyazkov’s resignation is a recognition of a political crisis, but it is also an opportunity to renew the political system.” The focus has shifted from parliamentary arithmetic to social legitimacy, with the clear message that if the system cannot reform itself, society will force the change. The coming months will be crucial: not just for determining who leads Bulgaria, but for deciding the principles and values that will guide the country as it steps into the eurozone and, perhaps, into a new chapter of its democracy.
With the shadow of post-communist transition still looming large, Bulgaria now faces a historic opportunity to establish a truly European, transparent, and equitable system—one that reflects the will of its people and the aspirations of a new generation.
